Information Foraging
Adam discusses how our ancient brains are ill-equipped for the constant bombardment of novelty in today’s digital environment, leading to a decreased tolerance for boredom. He draws a parallel between human behavior and that of a squirrel foraging for food, highlighting our tendency to switch tasks in search of more rewarding stimuli. This shift from sustained focus to seeking novelty underscores the challenges of maintaining attention in modern life.In this clip
From this podcast
Commune with Jeff Krasno
159. The Distracted Mind with Dr. Adam Gazzaley
Related Questions
Why does our brain constantly seek novelty?
Isn't the impact of context switching person-dependent? Some people find that switching between tasks helps them maintain focus, as their access to variety and novelty keeps dopamine levels high. Conversely, if they're made to focus on only one task for hours, they get bored and are less productive.